Strength and Surface Roughness of Cross Linking Acrylic Resin Processed by Different Heat Curing Methods

Abstract

Background: Heat-cured acrylic resin is considered one of the most commonly used denture base material in denture construction, but this material is not ideal in every respect. So many researches have been carried out to find an alternative material like cross linking acrylic resin. Meanwhile, the curing procedures have been modified to improve the physical and mechanical properties of resin materials .The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three curing methods:(water bath, autoclave short cycle and autoclave long cycle) on transverse strength, tensile strength and surface roughness of cross linking acrylic denture base materials. Material and method: Cross linking acrylic resin was used in this study and processed in three curing methods (water bath, autoclave short cycle and autoclave long cycle). Ninety specimens were prepared. Each main group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the type of test used (transvers strength test, tensile strength test and surface roughness test). Each group contained 10 specimens for each test. Result: Three tests were used to analyze the results: analysis of variance (ANOVA), the least significant difference (LSD) and an independent T-test. There were no significant differences between the results of the processing techniques regarding transverse and tensile strength but there was a significant difference between the results of surface roughness tests. Conclusion: It was concluded that autoclave curing method can be used with different duration whether it is short or long instead of water bath curing method.